grad school advice

What No One Told Me about Graduate School

Published: 8 June 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, grad school help, graduate school, Rene Paulson, what to expect

What I wish I knew There are things no one will tell you about your first year of graduate school, and the Internet is full of postgraduate “advice” from former and current grad students warning people to stay out of graduate school. Some advice: If someone tells you what they wish they would have done or known before entering…

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Your First Conference Part 1:What to Expect

Published: 20 March 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: conference, grad school, grad school advice, public speaking, Rene Paulson, what to expect

Conferences are a great way for graduate students to learn about academia and expand their network. The conference environment is uniquely suited to providing a forum in which one can present original research and offer feedback, or debate among members of the same field. This is a great opportunity for graduate students to present their own research and gain some valuable feedback. Below…

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Should you work towards a Master’s or Doctoral degree? Which is right for you?

Published: 18 January 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school advice, masters degree, phd, planning, preparing for grad school, Rene Paulson

If you are considering going to graduate school, you are probably wondering which degree to get. The choice should not be too difficult once you understand the differences among the two types: doctorate and masters. Graduate school is a lot of work and can be very competitive. Many students who floated through undergraduate work are…

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Tips on How to Stay Focused: Improve Your Concentration

Published: 28 December 2016
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school advice, grad school eating habits, health, Rene Paulson, self-care, study tips

How many times have you sat and tried to focus on a project or assignment, only to find your mind wandering? Despite your best efforts, you just can’t concentrate. We’ve all been in this familiar, frustrating situation. Many students complain about their lack of ability to focus and concentrate as their minds race from one thing to another as their thoughts run all over the place. The trick is…

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How to Find Free Money for Graduate School: Part 4

Published: 28 December 2016
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: broke graduate student, grad school advice, graduate school, money, planning, Rene Paulson

The best kind of financial aid is money you don’t have to pay back, such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Grants for graduate students can be the difference between earning an advanced degree and ending at the bachelor’s level. But while scholarships are often merit-based, grants are more likely to be need-based. There are many grants available if you know where to look. The following includes a…

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Part 3 of How to Pick Your Defense Committee

Published: 24 June 2016
Written by Ryan
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Categories: blogs
Tags: defense committee, dissertation, grad school advice, phd

  What strategies can a doctoral student employ to maneuver the trials and tribulations of a dissertation committee? In Part 2, we established that finding an advisor who communicates well and finding committee members who are willing to challenge you (within limits) are important. What is the fifth and final guideline you ask? Guideline…

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Part 2 of How to Pick Your Defense Committee

Published: 4 March 2016
Written by Ryan
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Categories: blogs
Tags: defense committee, dissertation, grad school advice, phd

Choosing a committee can be a daunting task for a doctoral student.  We’ve already covered two strategies that can help you through this process.  To recap, choose a committee that will balance the theory, methodology, and practical wisdom necessary to help you craft a strong dissertation, and pick members who are able and willing to invest time in you.  Here are…

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7 Things Students Should Know About Internships

Published: 19 February 2016
Written by Sara
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Categories: blogs
Tags: grad apps, grad school advice, graduate school, internship, job advice

Whether you’re thinking of applying to grad programs or you’re in the thick of internship applications, being aware of these seven points can save you some heartache when applying for an internship or practicum. Know your program’s match rate before applying. If you’re thinking about applying to a program that requires an internship, you’ll need to know the program’s success in matching students. Many match rates are available by…

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